My 4-Year-Old Ate Buckthorn Berries – Should I Be Concerned?
Hi, I just saw my 4-year-old son eat a few berries off a bush in our backyard, and I’m pretty sure they were buckthorn berries—he ate about 3 of them. He seems fine right now—no symptoms. Should I go to the Emergency Room?
6 days ago
Buckthorn berries are not considered highly toxic but may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal upset in some cases. You can do the following:
If you haven’t already, wipe out and rinse his mouth.
Offer some water to help flush the berries from both his mouth and stomach.
Monitor him at home for any symptoms over the next 6–12 hours, including:
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach cramps
Diarrhea
These berries may contain anthraquinones, which have a natural laxative effect, so loose stools are possible but typically self-limited.
Take him to the ER if he develops persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, or becomes unusually drowsy or lethargic. Otherwise, it is safe to monitor him at home